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embrittle

American  
[em-brit-l] / ɛmˈbrɪt l /

verb (used with or without object)

embrittled, embrittling

  1. to make or become brittle.

Etymology

Origin of embrittle

First recorded in 1900–05; em- 1 + brittle

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

It's cold enough to embrittle and shatter most materials.

From Slate • May 26, 2012

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.